Child Development

This is a new subject you can choose to study, and is taught by our Humanities Department. 

Students who chose this option will take the qualification OCR Cambridge National in Child Development

[What is a Cambridge National? See page 4 of this parent and student guide]

Course Description

The Child Development OCR Cambridge Nationals course is a level 2 course and is the equivalent to a GCSE.

What will you study as part of this qualification?

 All students will study three topics as follows: 

This qualification is for students who wish to develop their knowledge of and practical skills in child development. It is has practical and theory sections, which will prepare you for further qualifications in Child Care, Health and Social Care, Psychology, Midwifery, Social care sector, Sociology and Biology. 

You will develop an understanding of the social (working together), emotional (feelings), physical (movement) and intellectual ( brain and the mind) development of children through the study of the family, community and the responsibilities of parenthood. 

Child Development is suitable for all students who believe they will enjoy studying about children, which could lead into a career of midwifery or childcare. Other careers students have gone on to study include, Paediatrics (child doctors and nurses) and jobs working in public service such as teaching and the Police. 

Who would this course be suitable for?

To achieve in Child Development, you must be enthusiastic about learning about how children grow, develop and thrive.   

You should be motivated to produce creative coursework and be willing to interact with young children and their families. 

Potential career paths

There are a variety of different paths that you could follow after studying Child Development.

Most students go on to study courses at A level, although some pursue the BTEC vocational route in college going on to study a level 3 qualification.  Both routes can lead to a place on a university degree course.

To investigate Child Development careers further please visit: https://icould.com/explore/categories/subject/child-development/

What do students say about this course?

"I love learning about children and babies and know that this will enhance my chances in the future to get on a midwifery course.”

"I find the course inspiring and enjoyable and I really like observing the children at home and watching them progress.”  

Video: your choices in Humanities

Mrs Cherry:

I have taught this course at the academy for 14 years and I have a wide breadth of knowledge about how children grow and develop. 

Students who choose this subject and work hard, achieve highly and they are amongst the top grades the academy secures. 

Health and well-being for child development. (Exam)

During this section of the course you will study everything from when a baby is made until it gets to 5 years old. You will complete an exam in Year 11 which will test your knowledge about this development. You will get two attempts at the exam and the highest grade will count. This part of the course is worth 50% of your final mark. 

Understand the equipment and nutritional needs of children from birth to five years (Coursework)

This part of the course is coursework. It is worth 25% of your final mark. You will study how a child develops and grows through the interaction they have with their carers and how the food they eat is vital for their growth and development. You will compete a practical which will show you know how to make a babies bottle feed of formula. 

Understand the development norms of a child from birth to five years. (Coursework)

This part of the course is all about how children develop after they are 12 months old. It is about how play can help a child to learn. You will spend time planning an activity for a child to help them learn a new skill. You will do the activity with the child and you will evaluate how they developed and improved over a period of time.